Rock concerts are well and good, but I am wondering if we should be more ambitious than that? If we are trying to get young people more involved, there are many things that they can potentially do. The problem with encouraging young people to "get involved with politics" or "support clean candidates" is that these are very long term projects. I think it will be much more rewarding for them if they can see some good results immediately.
I remember reading about an excellent voluntary effort amongst DU students years ago where they organized primary education classes for street children in the campus area. I think it was called Orko? I don't know if it's still around. But that's the sort of thing we should be trying to encourage; political awareness through experience dealing with social problems.
At various times when Dhaka was badly flooded, I also remember university students helping to collect and distribute relief chal, dal, etc.
What about trying to organize university students to collect donations and then distribute some sort of relief for all the slum dwellers/hawkers who are currently being rendered homeless and destitute? This is certainly the most disastrous policy that the caretaker government has initiated, but it seems not much is being done about it.
If you folks think this is a good suggestion, we should actually get in touch with some people in the NGO sector about stuff like this. They know a lot more about organizing the details of a project like this than we do.
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3 comments:
Zeeshan,
I have been thinking about this it is not easy ride. If you read Irum's piece, the key challenge is described as this:
The struggle will be to inspire the young to take up this challenge, and ally their dreams of individual success to those of the nation. We must give them a sense of place and belonging, teach them that freedom is not to move away and start a new life, but to stay here and build a better life. We must give them the freedom to think freely, to define themselves, their aspirations and their future in a way that reshapes Bangladesh, and takes it to a better place. Those of us in a position to do so must think long and hard about how we can inculcate the youth with a sense of purpose, a sense of identity, a sense of tomorrow…
My suggestion is
1. Leverage the grassroot network.
For example, tie in Bishsho Shahhitto Kendro and use their people initially.
2. Tie in with the universities to allot extra credit for voluntary projects and works
3. All you successful folks to lead by example and inspire.
Zeeshan, you are absolutely right. Something tangible needs to be planned before the concert so that we can announce it there. Something short term where they can get involved right away.
Asif
The Shada Moner Manush was very inspiring.
http://nazimfarhan.blogspot.com/2007/02/shada-moner-manush_03.html
How about we find a few deserving ones and give them a Phiriye Ano award at the concert?
The general lack of enthusiasm for this is disheartening.
I suspect we have a real shortage of people with interest in NGO type activities reading this blog. Perhaps Asif is right that we need to talk with Biswa Sahitya Kendra, Shujon or other people to get this sort of thing going.
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